Latch.



C. LEMNA.

LATCH.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 2, Isls.

l, 183,087. Y Patented May 16,

CYRUS LEMNH crans LEMNA, or VERONA, NORTH DAKOTA.

LATCH.

Speccation of Letters Patent.

Patented Mai/1e, 191e.

Application filed March 2, 1916. Serial No. 81,593.

T0 all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, CYnUs LEMNA, a citizen of the United States,residing at Verona, in the county of Lamoure and State of North Dakota,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in `Latches, of whichthe following is a specification, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings.

This invention relates to certain improvements in latches and hasrelation more particularly to a device of this general characterespecially designed and adapted for use in connection with end gates andit is an object of the invention to provide a latch of novel andimproved construction whereby the same may be readily and convenientlyapplied in operative position, and whereby the expansible membercoacting with the bolt for normally urging the bolt outwardly may bereadily and conveniently removed when the necessities of practicerequire without requiring that the entire device be removed from appliedposition.

The invention consists in the details of construction and in thecombination and arrangement of the several parts of my improved latchwhereby certain important advantages are attained and the device isrendered simpler, less expensive and otherwise more convenient andadvantageous for use, all as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

The novel features of the invention will hereinafter be definitelyclaimed.

In order that my invention may be the better understood, I will nowproceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, wherein- Figure 1 is a view in elevation of an end gateillustrating an embodiment of my invention applied thereto; Fig. 2 is anenlarged sectional view taken substantially on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;and Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 3-3 ofFig. 1.

As disclosed in the accompanying drawings, A-A denote the hingedsections of an end gate with which coact the arm 1, one end of said arm1 being secured to one of the sections and adapted to overlie the secondsection when said sections are in alinement. The second section isprovided with an outstanding block 2 arranged adjacent the free end ofthe arm 1 when the sections A-A are in closed position and the outerface of said block 2 is provided with a keeper 3 with which coacts in aconventional manner the bolt 4 comprised in my improved lock.

As herein disclosed, the bolt 4 comprises preferably an elongatedtubular member 5 extendingvwithin a casing C, said casing C as hereinembodied consisting of an elongated member substantially semi-circularin cross section and having its longitudinal margins provided with theoutstanding flanges 6, whereby the same may be operatively engaged withthe arm 1.v The opposite ends of the casing C are open and the forwardlend thereof 'is vprovided with the transversely disposed oblique slot 7through which extends an operating arm or member 8 anchored to the bolt4 whereby it will be perceived that upon swinging the operating memberor arm 8 transversely of the casing C, the bolt 4 will be extended orretracted.

The bolt 4 is constantly urged outwardly through the medium of theeXpansible niember 9 herein disclosed as a coil spring having its innerend embracing the shank 10 of the headed member 11 which loosely engagesthe inner end of the bolt 4, while the outer end of the spring is incontact with the inner end of the block 12 loosely insertible within theend of the casing C remote from the transverse slot 7 and which servesto close said ends of the casing C and to put the eX- pansible member 9under compression. The block 12 is held against displacement from withinthe casing C through the medium of the bracket 14 removably secured tothe arm 1 and having an outstanding plate 15 overlying the adjacent endof the casing C and contacting with the block 12.

It will be perceived that should it be necessary to remove theeXpansible member `9 for the purposes of repair or replacement, it isonly necessary to remove the bracket 14 whereupon the block 12 and theeXpa-nsible member 9 may be readily removed. It will also be understoodthat the eXpansible member 9 and the'block 12 may be readily appliedinto operative assemblage.

By having the headed member 11 independent of the bolt 4' it will beperceived that the rotary movement of the bolt 4 will not wind or unwindthe expansible member 9 which would otherwise have a tendency to impairthe eiiiciency of the same.

From the foregoing description, it is thought to be obvious that a latchconstructed in accordance with my invention is of an extremely simpleand comparatively inexpensive nature and is particularly well adaptedfor use by reason of the convenience and facility with which it may beassembled, and it will also be obvious that my invention is susceptibleof some change and modification without material departure from theprinciples and spirit thereof and for this reason I do not wish to beunderstood as limiting myself to the precise arrangement and formationof the several parts herein shown in carrying out my invention inpractice.

I claim:

In combination with a member, a casing substantially semi-circular inform and having its longitudinal margins provided with outstandingflanges to afford means whereby the casing may be secured to the member,the portion of the casing intermediate the marginal flanges being openand the opposite ends of the casing being also open, a bolt slidablymounted within the casing at one end thereof, said bolt being of such alength as to have its inner end portion entirely confined within thecasing when in either retracted or extended adjustment, a block freelyinsertible within the opposite end of the casing and closing said end,an expansible member interposed between the inner end of the bolt andthe block and constantly urging the bolt outwardly, a removable bracketsecured to the member and overlying the outer end of the block formaintaining said block in applied position within the casing, and meansfor retracting the bolt.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my sig-nature in the presence oftwo witnesses.

CYRUS LEMNA. lVitnesses R. M. Giusi-ITAR, IVM. HUNTINGTON.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C.

